Liberals plan to cut red tape by 20%

EXCLUSIVE: THE state opposition plans to achieve a 20 per cent drop in red tape by employing regulation reduction officers to consult with small business and conduct audits of government regulations.

The move is part of the Liberals' policy to support small business, by deregulating business environments, reduce operating costs, and decrease bureaucratic process.

Opposition Leader Will Hodgman said a Liberal government would appoint a regulation reduction officer in Launceston, who would cut business red tape by preparing a report six months after forming government.

Mr Hodgman said the officer's mandate would be to deregulate the Tasmanian business environment and boost productivity.

He said regulations cost small business more than $1.3 billion a year.

"The regulations reduction co-ordinator will immediately commence a comprehensive audit of all government regulations with the target of reducing red and green tape by 20 per cent," Mr Hodgman said.

"During the audit the co- ordinator will consult extensively with business and industry to identify a priority list of actions, and prepare a report on findings and recommendations to government within six months."

Mr Hodgman said legislation that forced regular business regulation audits would also be drafted.

"If we can increase employment in the small business sector by just 1 per cent, we would create another 1000 jobs for Tasmanians, stimulating the economy, the state budget and in turn, our capacity to properly resource essential services in health, education and community safety," Mr Hodgman said.